Over the past six months, Sindh (located in Pakistan) received a large portion of the BISP, or Benazir Income Support Programme. Sindh received more than other provinces like Punjab or Balochistan. Sindh is the second-poorest province, according to population living under the poverty line, at a high of 33 percent. The allocation for the 2012-13 year was Rs 70 billion, or one and a quarter billion USD. This programme aims to help 5.5 million families, and seeks to cover about 40 percent of those living under the poverty line. Rs 4.5 billion was given to Sindh in the past year, which is a little over $82 million.
At the same time, this year Sindh poverty declined by 15 percent. According to Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, this is related to the allocation of the BISP and other government programs. The Pakistani government is committed to lowering poverty within their country.
He made this claim that Sindh poverty declined by 15 percent last year at the Sindh High Court, in the presence of the host, Advocate General Sindh Abdul Fatah Malik. He claimed that the government had been carrying out developmental projects within Sindh all over the area, in order to better the living standards of the entire population. This is partially due to the restoration of the Pakistani constitution to its original state recently. Other members of this meeting were Ayaz Soomro, Sharjeel Inam Memon, Syed Murad Ali Shah, Agha Siraj Durrani, and several judges and lawyers. This marks a turning point in Sindh, Pakistan that will hopefully continue into future years.
– Corina Balsamo
Sources: Nation, Daily Times
Photo: Wash Watch